Stuttgart have lost six of their first seven games to lie at the foot of the table.

Next weekend they are involved in an unlikely basement battle with Schalke and Hundt has warned that there can be no more excuses.

"I don't believe in blaming anybody, but certainly it is the coach's job to take steps to get us out of this misery," he told the Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspaper.

"We are not discussing the coach, but we certainly have to consider what happens if we carry on failing.

"The question must be why are the players not performing to their potential? Too many are miles away from their normal form."

Whether Gross is given the chance to lead the club away from danger like he did when he took over from Markus Babbel last November remains unclear, but Hundt is convinced that the corner will be turned sooner or later.

"I have no fear at all about Stuttgart being relegated," he added. "There is so much potential in this side that we can get out of this misery."

Gross led Stuttgart to their best ever second half of a season last term to take them from the bottom three into the Europa League.

The two wins obtained in the Europa League so far this season have probably kept him in his job, although he may not be in charge for their next European fixture against Getafe if they lose to Schalke.